Frederick, Md. (March 25) – In MAC Commonwealth action, the Stevenson softball team traveled to Hood for a midweek conference matchup, and despite falling by an 8–6 score in game one, rebounded to earn a split with a strong performance in game two with a 7-1 win over the Blazers.
Game 1:
Hood came out with early momentum, plating four runs in the opening inning to take a quick lead. Stevenson responded in the second inning with a three-run rally, highlighted by RBI singles from
Maria Morsa and a two-RBI play from
Sahara Ward that capitalized on a Hood error to cut the deficit to 4–3.
The Blazers added a run in the second to extend their lead, but the Mustangs continued to battle. In the fifth inning,
Sierra Williams delivered an RBI single up the middle to bring Stevenson within one at 5–4. However, Hood answered in the bottom half with a three-run home run to push the lead to 8–4.
Stevenson refused to back down, putting together a late push in the seventh inning.
Tessa Boswell came through with a clutch two-RBI single to score
Teagan Kreshik and
Mya Lamp, trimming the deficit to 8–6 and bringing the tying run to the plate. Despite the rally, the Mustangs were unable to complete the comeback.
In the circle,
Anna Sexton (2-4) took the start, while
Lilly Tinker provided two innings of scoreless relief to keep Stevenson within striking distance late in the game.
Game 2:
Stevenson wasted no time getting on the board, as Ward led off the game with a double and later came around to score on an RBI double from
Ava Stafursky to give the Mustangs an early 1–0 advantage.
After Hood evened the score in the third inning, Stevenson responded in a big way late in the game. In the fifth, Stafursky came through again with a clutch two-RBI single down the left field line, scoring
Mykaela Getz and Morsa to regain a 3–1 lead.
The Mustangs broke the game open in the sixth inning, plating four runs on three hits. Ward delivered a key two-RBI single up the middle, while aggressive base running and a Hood miscue added another run. Stafursky capped off her standout day with a sacrifice fly to bring in the final run of the inning and extend the lead to 7–1.
In the circle,
Ky Vaughn (1-0) was dominant from start to finish, tossing a complete-game effort while allowing just one run on seven hits for her first win of the season.
Stevenson will return to action on Saturday, March 28, traveling to Alvernia for a MAC Commonwealth doubleheader scheduled for 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.